Bush in 30 seconds contest

Thanks Aurélien, I am a member of Move ON - a good organization. Also nice to see another engineer here. (I've been catching up )

Kathleen

Yes, in this country you have the right to say anything you please...but sometimes there will be consequences for that. Try this: say to your boss you think he is a moron, idiot and you are ashamed to work for him. Or, tell a neighbor that little Johnny is a spoiled insuffurable brat. Do that...it's your right to say what you please. I suspect you will not like the outcome of either scenario. Your freedom of speech does not give you the right to insult, ridicule and trample on the rights of others, without the possibility of negative consequences. And that is particularly the case for entertainers and celebrities. These people have access to media coverage that the rest of us lack. Along with that, there should be some responsibility. If there is none, then I will respond by not listening to you, going to your movies, buying the products you endorse or buying your records. It's the risk the Chicks took when they insulted the President on the brink of war. How naive of them to think there would be no backlash.

Ah, the infamous quote that made the Dixie Chicks think they belonged with the rock and roll crowd.

Why is it that the Dixie Chicks were "expressing American values by using their right to free speech" but banning their music on some stations (which was at the request of the American public in some places) is un-American? Please. If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

now what country would that be???

In case this is directed at the US, you are quite mistaken my friend.

Too bad your country cannot do better on educating their people from making ignorant and generalized statements as the above

LOL! Rich white guys, well look who's talking. I wonder why she's living in this sham of a country. I mean she could probably earn the living she's accustomed to in Iraq or Afghanistan, don't you think?

That ignorant and generalized statement is based on a Time/CNN poll.

Ponrauil

and the poll quotes "majority supports a President that goes to war for oil, does it for money and positive press coverage" ???

Didn't think so.

The problem with polls is that the questions asked are usually different from the interpretations of the poll. Nothing I hate more than seeing polls you suggest, and when probing for the questions asked as well as the population polled, you'll find big discrepancies. All of a sudden polls arise during such time as a war that suggest everyone (or the vast majority) supports the war - this is propaganda at its heights. It is used to comfort the masses, nothing else.

Be comforted at the fact, that the majority of this country did not vote for the president in power and would never support someone that goes for war for oil, money and positive press coverage. The war-supporters and Bush supporters do so for other reasons.

All I can say is WOW...

It is amazing to me that people can live in the US and talk bad about it, using the very freedom of speech that they just take for granted... they would not have the freedom of speech or anything else if it wasn't for the men and women who have died to keep our country this way. I may not agree with everything that happens in the US, but the way I see it, it could be much, much worse.

would you apply the same logic to all the people that publicly complained about the political motives of continually sending troops to Vietnam. Though, it was clear to the white house and especially commander in chief that they will march into certain death? Do you think people should have kept quiet and accept a decision that was obviously wrong and motivated by all the wrong reasons just because "you shouldn't talk bad about your country?"

Our troops sign on with the ultimate willingness to follow the commands of their commander in chief - no questions asked. The only thing the troops can hope for is for the public, the people, to observe, and react. It is up to the people to elect who they seem fit and if it turns out to be a bad decision, it needs to be voiced.

That is the only way a democracy can work. Not by keeping quiet, cause it might be the "unpopular" thing to do.

You may not agree with the Dixie Chicks or what and how they said what they believ in. You don't have to buy their records or see their movies. However, it also allows others to hear a valid opinion and support them, think about what they said and why, form their own opinion and do what they have to.

You are very right, it could be much worse. But, we've been given the right to free speach and should be able to use it. I'm not saying abuse it, but use it. If we don't like the way something is done in the States, we have a right to say it out loud. There are countries in this world where if you critcize the government openly your life could be in danger. I have the complete and utmost respect for our soldiers who are fighting for our country and those who have fought and died in the past. But that doesn't mean that I won't critisize our leaders if I think something is wrong. Bush didn't receive the majority of the votes in the last election, he only won the majority of electoral votes. That isn't a criticism, only the truth. Like Mouse said, there are a lot of people who don't agree with the way our country is being run right now.

As for polls....well they can be biased. Opinions change on a daily basis. I may agree with something today and change my mind tomorrow. Don't believe everything you see in a poll.